Aldous Collins Band wins music award

Friday

Mar 7, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 10, 2014 at 6:09 PM

Together, singer-songwriter Aldous Collins, who hails from Goffstown, N.H. but lives in Hull, drummer Nicholas Asta of Marshfield, trumpeter Sam Dechenne of Cambridge, bassist Matt Nourse of Quincy, guitarist Michael Rahman of Norwell, and percussionist and backup vocalist Steve Smith of Scituate bring down the house at venues around New England and the Boston area.

Pop quiz: which local band was most recently crowned “Best in New Hampshire” at the New England Music Awards?

Hint: the members do not currently reside in New Hampshire.

A mere technicality the Aldous Collins Band was able to overcome in order to clench victory in this category at the Saturday, Feb. 22 award ceremony. Perhaps more fittingly, the band is also nominated for “Live Act of the Year” at the upcoming Limelight Magazine Music Awards.

Whether gigging in New Hampshire or closer to home, along the Massachusetts South Shore, one thing is for sure – the Aldous Collins Band knows how to have a good time. With energetic songs like “Superfunky” and “Get On Up,” it’s nearly impossible not to catch the band’s infectious, feel-good vibes.

Together, singer-songwriter Aldous Collins, who hails from Goffstown, N.H. but lives in Hull, drummer Nicholas Asta of Marshfield, trumpeter Sam Dechenne of Cambridge, bassist Matt Nourse of Quincy, guitarist Michael Rahman of Norwell, and percussionist and backup vocalist Steve Smith of Scituate bring down the house at venues around New England and the Boston area, having shared the stage with the likes of Grace Potter and Donovan Frakenreiter.

Describing their sound as “indie funk,” the men of the Aldous Collins Band play all over the area, including their weekly residence at the British Beer Company in Pembroke on Wednesday nights, and high-profile shows like the Cohasset Triathlon in June.

Playing for a crowd of a few thousand was a highlight for the band, as well as the event’s founder and director.

“The Aldous Collins Band and the Cohasset Triathlon are like family,” Cohasset Tri director Bill Burnett said. “For the last five years, the band has been a key part of the event’s atmosphere. Aldous has a close connection with Cohasset and we are proud to be part of the band’s ongoing success.”

The group is reveling in the recent success of the New England Music Awards and the release of a new EP, “Live at the New World Tavern,” which had its own release party at the Pembroke BBC two weeks ago.

“It gives a feel of the energy we bring,” said Collins. “Our music has become more lively and positive than it ever was.”

“It’s so much fun,” said Asta. “The energy of the crowd is awesome.”

And the crowd that turns up at the band’s weekly residence is “wicked supportive,” the drummer added. “It’s the greatest feeling.”

“The local venues are so supportive,” Rahman said of places like the BBC.

“It’s home base,” said Asta.

The band has done its best to build up a local fan base in the decade they’ve been playing together.

“I’ve been doing it a long time,” Collins said of his outfit, which has “evolved” over the years. Collins began playing with Rahman 10 years ago; Nourse joined the group eight months later, followed by Dechenne and Smith. Asta is the newest member, joining late last year after a stint in Nashville.

Each member of the band brings something different to the table, said Collins.

“Mike has been a really good team player with me. I would always have to hold the guitar in the past; now I’m able to speak to the music, which is more natural to me,” the front man said. “He can hold it down – he plays great guitar.”

Both Rahman and Dechenne are Berklee alums. Dechenne, the trumpet player, is part of the band whenever he isn’t touring with reggae group John Brown’s Body. A local Grammy winner, Smith had a hit song, “Days Go By,” and was on tour in Japan at the time of the interview.

Asta, the newest members, has his “heart, mind and soul” in the music.

“Every one of us will drop whatever we have to do this,” Asta said of the band.

“We’re lucky,” Collins said of the lineup. “The chemistry we have right now is the reason we’re getting more people interested in us. It’s a good, easy vibe.”

While the group is enjoying popularity on the local level, the guys are taking it all in stride.

“We’re grateful for success and popularity,” said Rahman, whether that leads to mainstream success or not. “We don’t care – we want to respect what we’ve been doing, whether it’s respected by the mainstream or not.”

“It’s all about the music,” said Asta.

The guys like sharing their music with their friends, fans and fellow musicians.

“Everyone that’s there is like family,” Asta said of their support system.

The band regularly invites other local musicians to share the stage, and will soon share the spotlight on WATD during a March 10 show with Jay Psaros, Fil Pacino, Haley Sabella and Eva Walsh.

The guys are also getting ready to film a music video with UrbanMouse Productions, a New York based company.

The band’s front man said that all of the success so far has been humbling.

“It’s so hard to get recognized, period; music is a brutal profession,” said Collins. “It’s encouraging for us, getting this award, and seeing on a small level that local, reputable, good musicians are supporting us. That’s something we’re thankful for.”

For more on the Aldous Collins Band, visit online at aldouscollins.com and Facebook.com/Pages/AldousCollinsBand.